19 Things I Don't Regret Buying In 2024
Key pieces I back 100%, plus a few special codes from some of my go-to brands!
As someone who is both incredibly sentimental and a data nerd, looking back at the things I’ve purchased over the previous year is a strange pleasure for me. Do I like to confirm that I’ve made good recommendations (to both myself and to you!)? Yes, absolutely. Am I sometimes surprised by the purchases that have an outsized impact on my wardrobe and day-to-day routine? Also yes.
Just like last year, I went through my receipts, examined where I spent my money, and looked for year-over-year changes. The biggest difference? So many trousers! Slacks! Pants galore! A wide-leg wool style from Dries van Noten, barrel-leg pants from Nili Lotan, and four—four!—pairs from Jamie Haller.
Leopard was my print of the year, especially shoes: Kitten heels from Isabel Marant, a furry jacket from J.Crew, loafers from Jamie Haller, and crisscross flats from Alaia. And I found my YCOHO swimsuit, a major thing to unlock at any age, let alone in my 40s. And I also found my YCOHO sleeping undies and shirts, and according to my data, a lot of you agree with me. Like, a lot, a lot.
Some other changes: I’ve been trying to shop smaller, more direct, and more mindfully when I can, and that’s resulted in fewer Amazon purchases (seven weeks down, still going strong!), which I am delighted by. Now, if only I could extend that same behavior to my food delivery apps…alas.
Oh, one last thing: As a small token of my appreciation, I reached out to a number of the brands featured in today’s story, and secured some shopping discount codes so that you can shop and/or try some of my favorite pieces, from my favorite makers. Happy holidays, and thanks so much for being here.
CLOTHING
Doen Idalia Bra ($128)
Before kids, I spent ungodly sums at my local Agent Provocateur, but I wanted nothing to do with underwire bras during either of my pregnancies or in the years that followed. While I love the Top Secret Prop Top Bralettes ($44) that became my new go-to (and I still wear them; I take a medium), I assumed that my underwire days were over. I had some luck with Skims, but the pieces didn’t thrill me in the way I wanted.
And then on a whim, I randomly bought a bra from Doen, and my world transformed. These bras are so outrageously comfortable, I forget they’re on, plus the shape is lovely, and they really hold up. Even better: They’re female-gaze sexy, and make me feel like a proper grownup when I wear them, which is 99% of the time these days. I find them true to size, and own them in every color. 11/10 recommend!
Jamie Haller Loafers ($595)
I’d had my eye on these fashion Substack-famous loafers for a few years, but it took my husband buying me a pair to fully commit. But then commit I did! After my gateway pair—black leather, of course—I bought a leopard pony hair pair and a two-tone leather style, and I am certain my collection isn’t done. (I am desperate for the suede ones, but the color I want is always out of stock.)
Frequent readers of Hi Everyone know that flat shoes—well truthfully most shoes—can be tricky for me, as I have extremely high arches and a high instep, and short, squarish feet. When I tell you that these loafers fit like heaven from day one, I’m not joking. Zero break-in time, and they only get better with age and wear. Also great: My friends who have much more elegant feet and normal arches and insteps love the loafers as much as I do. They’re truly universal crowd pleasers.
I’m also a huge devotee of Jamie Haller’s Waist Tape Trousers ($550) and The Everything Pant ($598), which I own in both black and olive. I don’t personally know Jamie, but what she’s making feels revolutionary. Incredible fit and materials, thoughtful construction, and silhouettes that feel cool and more accepting than most of what’s on the market. Because the brand is newer and independent, things sell out quickly, but if you sign up for her email 1st Dibs, you get alerts when things are back in stock or new pieces arrive.
Nili Lotan Shon Pants ($395)
The pants that opened the door for me to reconsider trousers! Thanks to Marie Claire’s editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, I finally bit the bullet and bought my first pair of Nili Lotan barrel-leg Shon pants earlier this year, and then immediately asked myself where they’d been my whole life? As I’ve yammered about extensively, they’re perfect for everything from travel to school drop-off to the office, depending on how you style them, and you can wear them a zillion times and they don’t bag, thanks to a tiny bit of stretch. Take your normal size for a more relaxed fit, or size down once if you like a more fitted look.
Left On Friday Sunday Top ($95) and Hi Tide Bottoms ($95)
Never have I ever felt so besotted with a swimsuit, but that’s how Left On Friday makes a person feel! Hands down, this is the only swimsuit you need for the rest of your life. And given how hard I am on my suits, and how well mine is holding up, you might not need to buy another one for at least a decade?
The tops actually stay put, no matter what you’re doing, and the bottoms support and compress without cutting into your flesh. I love this suit so much, I also wear it when I’m nowhere near water; it’s my go-to foundation when I’m wearing a sheer skirt or dress. Yes, they do double duty on land, too! If you’re considering trying, I cannot recommend enough. I find them true to size and take a medium in both the top and the bottoms.
Happy to report the wonderful team at LOF has given us the code HILLARY10 for 10% off your order.
Reformation Bella Maxi Skirt ($218)
As I often preach, I want clothes that can work for a wide range of occasions, and this silk maxi skirt is delightfully versatile. I wear it with a cropped cashmere sweater and loafers or moto boots during the day, often with my go-to jean jacket—The Ross Jacket by Khaite is 30% off at MyTheresa right now; a slightly lighter wash is 50% off, which is amazing!—and of course, then pair it with a shrunken cardi and kitten heels for drinks, and as I showed you last week, I think it looks great with a tux blazer for dressier events too. It comes in a range of colors, prints, and materials, and is available in petites too.
The Great The Boxy Crew ($95) and The Jersey Crop Pant ($145)
Over the last twenty years of being an editor, I have tried just about every t-shirt on the market, from Hanes to The Row, and have many pieces I love at a wide range of price points. But there is only one brand and style I return to over and over again: The Great’s The Boxy Crew.
I have said this for years; in fact, I wrote about my most recent t-shirt quest for this very newsletter in 2022, and still stand by my reporting. I like a size 1 in this style; it’s slightly oversized, without being overwhelming.
Additionally, If I am home, or just casual, nine times out of ten, you’ll find me in The Great’s The Jersey Crop Pant, one of my best buys, ever. They are the coolest, softest pants to lounge in, and I love the dropped crotch makes them so much more interesting than your regular sweats or joggers. I have them in black and navy in a size 2, and want the other two colors too. Truly a no-regrets purchase.
Happy to report that the wonderful team at The Great has given Hi Everyone readers 15% off with the code HILLARY15TG on full-priced women’s tees and sweats now through January 31, 2025.
Negative Boy Shorts ($45) and Long Sleeve Shirt ($110)
The runway hit of my Q4? Negative underwear, specifically the brand’s incredibly luxurious boy shorts and their multipurpose long-sleeved shirt, both of which I am fanatical about. The boy shorts were my entry point—they’re the perfect sleeping undies—as they feels amazing and look great too, thanks to the slightly sheer, super soft fabric. (I really like the french cut briefs, too; I take a small in both, though the medium works too.)
The long-sleeve shirt was a true revelation though. As I’ve mentioned before, I will wear it to sleep in, then put on a bra and use it as a layer under a cashmere sweater for daytime, then remove the sweater and wear it with a leather skirt for date night. Truly the epitome of a day-to-night piece, or night-to-day-to-night, in this case. Insanely high quality and well made, these pieces don’t ride up or cut in, and they’re worth every single penny.
Caddis Mabuhay Glasses ($340 for single-vision prescription; $140 for readers)
For the better part of a decade, I almost exclusively wore a single style of reading glasses, until I went out to dinner with my pal Katie earlier this year, and she was wearing the coolest rose-colored glasses. I fell in love immediately, but then my heart broke when I learned they were just readers, and not prescription like I need. But then I went on the brand’s site and realized that they do prescription as well! And friends, when I tell you I ordered my own pair seconds later, I am not exaggerating.
While I like the tint, I realize pink lenses are not for everyone, but that’s not a problem. If you like this frame, they also come in blue, yellow, or green tinted lenses, and also clear as well. You can get them with no magnification, as readers, or as prescription glasses. I adore them, and think that Caddis is doing such cool things overall, so be sure to check out the rest of their styles too. I’m like 99% sure you’ll find something you like.
Valentino Garavani Vain Shoulder Bag ($4490)
When friends peek inside my closet, they’re always surprised that I don’t have more handbags, but truthfully, I don’t add to my collection every season, nor ever year. Don’t get me wrong, I love bags, but I’m pretty loyal, so when I have one that works for my life, I tend to stay focused on it for a long time.
But in my line of work, I can’t help but see some really spectacular options, and the piece I’m most excited about right now is this perfectly sleek, absolute stunner from Valentino. The antique gold chain strap allows you to carry the bag as a shoulder or crossbody, and I love how structured it is. It has two compartments and both a zippered pocket and a slip pocket, which means it can carry a surprising amount. While mine is black, it also comes in cream or a beautiful saddle brown, plus there is a beaded and embroidered version that’s beyond decadent.
And because we contain multitudes, while I adore this polished, elegant, slightly mod option that gives me slight Belle du Jour vibes, I also have my eye on the brand’s new Nellcote Suede Shoulder Bag with Fringes ($2690) that it-ladies like Bella Hadid and Alexa Chung have been spotted wearing.
BEAUTY
Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal System ($299)
Frequent readers of this newsletter know that I bought Braun’s at-home hair-removal device earlier this fall, and have really been loving it. I even made my first greenscreen Reel as a testament to the device, which is how strongly I feel about it. As I mentioned before, the device is a Wirecutter pick, which gave me confidence to buy in the first place, and I’ve used it quite for a few months and had really good results.
Full disclosure: I previously had professional laser hair removal sessions, and have the easiest skin/hair color combo for these devices (dark hair, fair skin), so I have used this device mainly for maintenance and getting random stray hairs. I’m not sure how it would be if I’d never used a device like this before, if I had really dense hair, or if I had a different hair/skin combo, so I just want to be clear. But for me, this device is a revelation. It’s fast, easy, painless, and effective. I love the fact that I don’t have to waste time driving to an appointment, and I can use it for touch-ups whenever I feel like it. It has even banished one annoying chin hair, and for that alone, I will love it forever!
Happy to report that the wonderful team at Braun.com has given Hi Everyone readers 25% off any IPL device with the code HIEVERYONE25. Again, I like the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL, but there’s also a super/newer version, the Braun Skin i-Expert Smart IPL, that comes with four different heads (standard, face precision, bikini precision, and wide).
Zoom Makeup Session with Joey Maalouf ($525 now through December 24th; normally $700)
I have been shouting from my soap box about the joy of a 1-hour Zoom makeup lesson with celebrity artist Joey Maalouf for months now, and I’m pretty sure you are aware that I think this service is well worth the money. My first story about our first session is the most popular installment of my newsletter to date, and our second story about eye makeup is also a top performer.
Despite being around professional makeup artists all day long in my line of work, I hadn’t refreshed my own skills since I was in college, and I am 300% better at my makeup today than I was in October, before my lesson with Joey. When I tell you this changed my life, I mean it.
Roz The Foundation Duo Shampoo and Conditioner ($72)
Every single person who has tried the shampoo and conditioner from the phenomenal celebrity hairstylist Mara Rozak’s brilliant line Roz loves it. Like, swears by it, is ruined for anything else. And that’s how I feel too! The scent is heavenly, the way my hair feels is incredible, and it works beautifully on everyone in my family, and we all have different hair thickness, texture, and vibes.
But honestly, it’s really hard to pick just one of Roz’s products. If you don’t own any, this is how I would recommend setting up your collection. The Foundation Duo ($72) to start, because everyone deserves an amazing shampoo and conditioner. If you have thicker hair, need a more serious conditioner, color your hair, or just want a leveled-up treatment, I’d next suggest the Foundation Mask ($48); it’s perfectly hydrating and the container holds a surprising amount of product.
Next, I’d recommend the Hair Milk Serum ($52) which is amazing for detangling hair, defrizzing even fine straight hair without weighing it down, and I like that you can use it on wet or dry hair. And finally, the Santa Lucia Styling Oil ($45) which I wish came in a fragrance, lotion, linen spray, you name it, it’s that delicious. Also works on wet or dry hair. From there, I also love the Air Thickening Spray ($39) and Root Lift Spray ($42), but those are more specialized, and the Willow Glen Treatment Oil ($48) is also wonderful for a more intense treatment. Short story long: Everything is magic. Truly.
Happy to report that the wonderful team at Roz has given Hi Everyone readers 15% off with the code HILLARY15.
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum ($200)
You’re probably sick of me singing this brand’s praises, as I’ve written about it repeatedly since I first tested it a few months ago. Well all I can say is that out of all of the new amazing skincare products I’ve tested this year, this is one that I repeatedly use to the last drop and reorder. I think both the Plasma and the Emulsion are excellent, but if you could only buy one, the Plasma will always have my heart. I use it twice a day; it’s the first thing that goes on my skin after washing it, and I truly feel like it gives me a glow that’s better than my favorite highlighter. I don’t want to like it so much, but alas, here we are. And yes, I’m still into everything Dr. Idriss and Shani Darden make too; all these products place nicely together!
Alloy M4 Face Cream ($150 for a three-month supply)
The combination of getting older and going off the pill resulted in feeling like my skin just was looking blah this year. In addition to Dr. Diamond’s serum, the other big change I made was incorporating Alloy’s estriol moisturizer into my routine, and I truly think it has significantly changed my skin for the better. The cream doesn’t impact your blood estrogen levels, but it does support your collagen production and has made my skin bouncier and more hydrated.
Hanni The Fatty Moisturizing Stick ($28)
For reasons I do not understand and haven’t looked into, something happened to my feet during my first pregnancy, and they have never recovered. They are suddenly dry in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and my heels are rather…gross. The best thing I have found to combat my Lizard Man feet is this amazing moisturizing stick from my new favorite brand, Hanni. Everything I’ve tried from the brand has been wonderful, but my YCOHO product is this moisturizing stick. Works well on any dry skin, but truly is a game-changer when slathered over my feet at night before bed.
Happy to report the lovely team at Hanni is offering Hi Everyone readers 20% off with the code HILLARY20.
Be Well By Kelly Magnesium ($50)
As a longtime fan of everything Kelly LeVeque makes, I was really interested when she launched a magnesium supplement earlier this year. I started taking magnesium when I was pregnant with my oldest, as I was suffering from headaches on a regular basis, and a doula friend of mine mentioned it might help. It just stuck, and I’ve been taking it for a while now, at bed along with my Seed probiotics.
Kelly’s version might not be the least expensive, but I trust her standards and formulation, and love that her version has five sourced forms, and it contains L-theanine, which can help you fall asleep faster.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Hillary, I stop and read your Substack immediately! Thank you always for the obvious effort and time you put into educating us. You’ve already influenced me in many ways! Thank you. I’m a better me because of you!
Thanks, Hillary! I love this round-up and so appreciate all your wonderful recs. Sadly my dad passed away last month. It's been a really weird time for me - grief is pretty wild. He left me a bit of money so I decided to treat myself to some clothing/shoes that I wouldn't normally splurge on. I am getting the Jamie Haller leopard print loafers, JH Everything pants in black, her Fatigue pants in chestnut, and JH Kenickie jeans in washed black. I will think of my dad whenever I wear these items, which I know will be a lot! Plus since they are such high-quality items I should have them for a very, very long time! Happy Holidays! I hope you and your family have a restful/peaceful/joyful break.